RIVERINA supermarket operators have told two chiefs of the NSW government’s 10-cent drink container refund scheme that it will be a disaster in their area.
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Council figures also said they had been victims of an information blackout which had seen them not told where collection points would be, despite the scheme starting on December 1.
EPA director Alex Young and TOMRA-Cleanaway boss Ken Donley, whose joint venture firm is charged with collecting drink containers, faced Albury, Corowa, Griffith, Leeton and Mulwala supermarket bosses on Friday.
The two-hour forum, held at Albury’s Commercial Club, heard concerns Riverina retailers would face big losses with customers buying drinks in Victoria to avoid price rises linked to the Return and Earn scheme.
Albury IGA supermarket owner Bob Mathews said since the start of November a 30-pack of Coca-Cola had been selling for $19 in Victoria and $23.99 in NSW while a slab of Great Northern beer was $48 south of the Murray River and $54 north.
“It’s just a disaster for us retailers across the Border,” Mr Mathews said.
Corowa Supa IGA owner Craig Waldron said he had already lost a large customer responsible for thousands of dollars in orders because of the scheme.
Pleas have been made for border areas to be excluded from the scheme and for NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton to delay its introduction until 2018.
“We’re not going to hang poor old Gabrielle Upton if she puts it off for a month, we’ll give her a Christmas present,” Mr Mathews said.
Mr Donley told the meeting there would be reverse vending machines installed for containers and individual retailers would collect bottles and cans in small towns.
But RAMROC chief Ray Stubbs, who represents 14 councils across the Murray area, said his members had been kept in the dark on where collection sites.
“If we continue in this blackout it’s just going to be an absolute disaster,” Mr Stubbs said.
Albury’s first machine was being installed in the car park of the Springdale Heights shopping centre this week.
Mr Young admitted not all places would have collection sites by December 1.
Member for Albury Greg Aplin told the meeting he had voiced his concerns with Ms Upton.
The minister told parliament on Thursday Mr Aplin was “a curious, very strong and good representative of his local community”.
